Omega-3 Fatty Acids Known Effects Omega-3 Decreases the Risk of: Arthritis Auto-immune disease Breast cancer Colon cancer Coronary heart disease Hypertension Poor brain and retina development Prostate cancer by - W.E. Connor at International Conference of Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Nutrition and Disease Prevention Barcelona 1996 Abnormal electroretinograms Polydipsis - excessive thirst and skin water loss Visual impairment Connor and Neuringer in Health Effects of Omega-3 World Rev. Nutr. Diet., 1991, v.66 pp. 118-132 Conditions associated with Omega-3 Deficiency Condition % of control Lupus 60% Neuronal  Degeneration 35% Osteo-arthritis 59% Pregnancy 53%  Retinitis  Pigmentosa 68% Rheumatoid  Arthritis 68% Scieroderma 48%  EPA and DHA fatty acids are the two major components of omega-3 from fishoil. Both are considered to be essential nourishment for growth and development, as well as being powerful inhibitors of inflammation. DHA is essential in growth and development throughout the life cycle, and should be included in everyone's diet. Low levels have been correlated with memory loss, changes in visual function and other neurological  conditions. DHA is a key dietary element for pregnant women, and in adult nutrition. DHA is essential for optimum brain and eye functioning. EPA are required by many tissues for optimal biological function and are precursors of biologically active eicosanoid hormones.